Tymon Mellor: On the 12 October 1938, two divisions of Japanese troops landed in Bias Bay (Daya Bay), not to attack Hong Kong, but heading for Canton (Guangzhou). The event was witnessed by a reporter from the China Mail who was being flown in a Hornet Moth belonging to the Far East Flying Training School at Kai Tak. Canton quickly […]
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In Search of an Improved Industrial Design – The Hong Kong Rickshaw over Time By Fung Chi Ming The rickshaw, as westerners pronounce it, originated in Japan where it is known as jinrikisha – jin (man) riki (power) sha (carriage). Its basic design includes a carriage resting on two large-diameter wheels, a pair of long parallel poles joined by a […]
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With the completion of the Kai Tak reclamation in 1930, it was now time to turn the new platform into an aerodrome. This would require the establishment of a government department to manage the aerodrome, provision of facilities to support commercial operations, and the establishment of a flying school. Airmail and Commercial Service As a government funded operation, the new […]
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Tymon Mellor: Spurred by the looming civil war in China, the partially complete Kai Tak reclamation became a temporary RAF facility in 1927. Both the British and Hong Kong governments wanted to construct a dedicated aerodrome but limited financial resources tempered their enthusiasm. While discussions on funding continued, solutions to completing the reclamation and the design of the proposed aerodrome […]
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HF: If anyone comes across further information about or images of the Roy Farrell Export-Import (Hongkong) Company I would be very grateful to be sent it. Roy Clinton Farrell (June 19, 1912 – January 3, 1996) was the American co-founder of Cathay Pacific Airways along with the Australian Sydney de Kantzow. ROY FARRELL EXPORT IMPORT COMPANY (HONG KONG) LIMITED -THE- was incorporated on 28-AUG-1946 […]
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HF: I have compiled a timeline about Hong Kong Tramways Depots using the sources given below. It is admittedly a rather rough framework. As further information comes in I will refine it. I would like to especially thank Joseph Tse who has considerable knowledge of HK Trams (and also the Peak Tram and Tuen Mun Light Rail) as can be […]
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Tymon Mellor: Hong Kong International Airport handles over 1,000 aircraft movements a day, a long way from the first Hong Kong airfield at Sha Tin, where at 5:10pm on 18th March, 1911 Charles Van den Born, a Belgian undertook the first powered flight in the territory. Flying a 1910 Farman Mk II bi-plane named “Wanda”, he made a short flight […]
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Roy Farrell co-founded one of Asia’s most successful airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, with the Australian Sydney de Kantzow and was one of the first Westerners to recognize the post-war potential of China as a trading partner. An American from Texas, he had originally intended to establish a trading company supplying China with badly needed goods at the end of […]
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Hugh Farmer: Elizabeth Ride has sent another part of 1945 BAAG report on a variety of subjects in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in WW2. This time the report covers: Motor Bus Services – the removal of most buses from HK, bus services post Sept 1942 Ferry Services – Harbour and Island/NT/Aberdeen, use of auxiliary junks, fuel […]
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HF: IDJ has kindly sent the following newspaper article. I have retyped the original article to aid clarity and site searches: MR. A. HARPER DEAD Well-Known Figure We regret to record the death of Mr. Andrew Harper which occurred at his residence in Kowloon yesterday. Mr. Harper came to the Colony in 1922 as a mining engineer, but returned to […]
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